Mildred Hanson

Mildred Hanson passed away peacefully on August 31, 2014, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota, with her family by her side. Mildred was born on January 10, 1916 to Christian and Marie Rude in Grygla, Minnesota. Mildred grew up here, and she attended Grygla Elementary School. In her teenage years, Mildred was one of the 35 students at Climax High School to graduate in 1935, where she excelled in academics, sports, and music. In fact, her nickname was "The Babe", because of her ability to hit the ball farther and run faster than anyone. Because her mother, Marie, used her egg money to pay for Mildred's piano lessons, she was able to be involved in The Lutheran Church of Grygla's services sharing her talents. She also had a beautiful singing voice, and the church choir consisted of her, her mother, and her brother Melvin. Mildred had big aspirations for her life, which she began by going to Hairdresser and Cosmetology School in Fargo, North Dakota. She graduated in 1936, where she went on to work for DeLendrecies Department Store. Mildred was not only licensed in North Dakota, but she received her beauticians' license in Minnesota as well. During this time, she met the love of her life, Henry Clifford Hanson, through a mutual friend. They were married thereafter on November 20, 1937, in Crookston, Minnesota. Mildred and Henry moved to rural Polk County, where they worked on their farm, and attended Hafslo Lutheran Church. During that time, Mildred became a mother to Myrna, Joyce, and her first set of twins: Dennis and Delores. She felt the importance of staying home from work to raise her kids, and that is what she did. In the 1950's, Mildred, Henry, and their children moved to Crookston, Minnesota, where Mildred became a mother to her second set of twins, Denise and Debra. She went on to work at many different places, which included the Grill Café, Sunny Rest Sanatorium, and Bethesda Hospital. Finally, Mildred spent the majority of her working life at JR Simplot, where she was a production worker.

Mildred was talented in many things, as evidenced in her occupational history. She was a master at creating afghans, and knitted one for each child that came into her family. She also liked to show her Norwegian heritage by making Lefse and Sweet Soup, as well as an incredible apple pie that is quite popular in her family! Mildred was a major baseball fan since she was a child, and she was an avid fan of Minnesota's Major League Baseball team, the Twins. She even attended a game at the Metrodome with her children, but from then on decided she preferred to watch the games from the comfort of her living room. Mildred is preceded in death by her husband, Henry Hanson; parents, Christian and Marie Rude; her five sisters, and her three brothers. Mildred is survived by her children, Myrna (Ed) Henrickson of Moorhead, MN, Joyce (Bill) Moehn of Springerville, Arizona, Dennis (Debbie) Hanson of Crookston, MN, Delores (Charles) Szekacs of Springfield, Ohio, Debra (Thomas) Hirsh of Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Denise (Merwin) Carlson of Moorhead, MN; 22 Grandchildren; 43 Great-Grandchildren; and one Great-Great-Granddaughter. A funeral service to celebrate the life of Mildred will be held on Friday, September 5th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston, Minnesota at 1:30 p.m., with Rev. Greg Isaacson presiding. There will be a visitation with the family one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place at Oakdale Cemetery immediately following the funeral service. Stenshoel Houske Funeral Home will be handling the funeral arrangements.

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Service
Friday, September 5, 2014
cemetery
Friday, September 5, 2014